The city of Fukuoka said Wednesday it will start recognizing partnerships of LGBTI couples in April, becoming the seventh municipality to do so despite the absence of such a system at the national level. Under the new plan, the city will issue papers authenticating partnership oaths submitted by sexual minority couples. Unlike official marriages, the recognition does not entail legal rights or obligations but is expected to be used when couples rent city-run housing or undergo medical treatment requiring the consent of a family member at city hospitals.